February 16, 2007

BULLDOGS PICKED TO FINISH SECOND IN NE-10 IN 2007

Sophomore Matt McKeefrey. http://www.dspics.com/

SOUTH EASTON, Mass. -  The Bryant University men's lacrosse team was picked to finish second in the Northeast-10 Conference this spring, following the release of the 2007 Preseason Coaches Poll Thursday.  The Bulldogs, 11-5 in 2006, earned 83 points to edge Merrimack for second.  The Warriors, also 11-5 last year, were third followed by Saint Michael's and Bentley. 

The Dolphins of Le Moyne College, the defending conference and national champions, are the unanimous pick to capture the Northeast-10 regular season title as determined by the league's 10 lacrosse coaches. Le Moyne received all 10 of the first place votes in the poll and 100 points.   

2007 NE-10 Preseason Poll

1. Le Moyne (10)

2. BRYANT

3. Merrimack

4. Saint Michael's

5. Bentley

6. Southern NH

7. Pace

8. Saint Anselm

9. Assumption

10. Franklin Pierce

In the 2006 season, Le Moyne captured the Northeast-10 regular season title for the seventh straight year and defeated Merrimack 10-3 to claim its sixth straight Northeast-10 Championship title. 

The Dolphins went on to earn their fifth straight NCAA bid and hosted Limestone College in the semifinal, defeating the Saints 22-3 to advance to the NCAA National Championship game.  Le Moyne won its second national championship in three seasons by defeating Dowling College 12-5.

The 2007 season gets under way on February 24 when the Bulldogs, ranked No. 8 nationally in Division II, hosts Adelphi at the Bryant Turf Field at 1 p.m.  The Bulldogs, under the direction of first-year coach Mike Pressler, return 26 letterwinners and seven starters including freshman All-American Andrew Hennessey and freshman Matt McKeefrey who earned second team all-conference with 28 goals a year ago.